Cincinnati Bengals: Close Defeats Have Been Story of Season
The Bengals (4-7) have lost six games this season by one possession or less, leaving them in serious jeopardy of missing the playoffs for the second straight year.
A second-half rally by Cincinnati fell short Sunday night in a 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers – a game in which the Bengals trailed 27-6 in the third quarter. Cincinnati ran off 21 straight points to tie, only to lose when former Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins scored on a 29-yard scamper with 18 seconds to play.
The Bengals have just a 14% chance of making the playoffs, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index. However, Head Coach Zac Taylor said Bengals coaches and players haven't given up hope heading into a bye week before hosting the Steelers in Week 13 on "Sunday Night Football."
"I don't know if many teams are going to hang in at 24-6 at halftime and dig their way back, fight the way our guys did," Taylor said via the team’s website. "Proud of our guys, sick for our guys. That's kind of been the story of our season so far.
"By no stretch is our season over with. We have a chance to use a bye to kind of get back and get into a groove here in the last part of the season. We're going to have to win a lot of these, obviously. We put ourselves in a tough spot. But I believe what I just saw from our guys, I've seen it every single week. We're going to be right there in the end and just got to finish these games off."
Joe Burrow threw for 356 yards and three touchdowns, but Cincinnati's defense gave up at least 34 points for the third time in its last four games. After the game, Burrow was asked if he felt the Bengals were playoff bound.
"Hope so. I guess we'll find out," Burrow said. "We know where we're at. I'm not happy with where we're at. I don't think anybody is, but all you can do is come back tomorrow and try to get better."
Pittsburgh Steelers: Russell Wilson Sees Super Bowl Traits in This Year's Team
Russell Wilson was part of a Super Bowl-winning team with the Seattle Seahawks that was opportunistic and relied on a strong defense.
Wilson sees those same traits in this year's Steelers (8-2), who have won four straight since Wilson became the starting quarterback. Pittsburgh didn't score a touchdown in an 18-16 victory over the Ravens on Sunday, and Wilson threw an ill-advised end zone interception to Marlon Humphrey that cost the Steelers points.
However, the Steelers still found a way to win, and that resiliency has Wilson feeling good about Pittsburgh chances to make a Super Bowl run.
"I've been fortunate to be able to win a championship before," Wilson said via Conor Hutchinson of SI.com. "The thing about talent is that you also have to have the work ethic, the drive, the will to win and the ability to win close games.
"The defense made a huge, huge stop against a really good offense on a two-point conversion to ... keep the lead at 18-16. To have a big-time kicker in [Chris Boswell]. Those are the type of championship moments you have to have."
Pittsburgh has a short week and must travel to Cleveland for a Thursday night matchup against the Browns.
Cleveland Browns: Left Tackle Dawand Jones Suffers Season-Ending Injury
The Browns (2-8) lost offensive tackle Dawand Jones for the season after he was carted off during a 35-14 loss to the New Orleans Saints in Week 11. Jones has a fractured leg and will have surgery, according to Head Coach Kevin Stefanski.
Jones had made seven starts this season – four at right tackle before moving to left tackle. He was replaced by veteran tackle Germain Ifedi, as the Browns continue to deal with injuries on their offensive line. Jedric Wills, who has made 57 career starts at left tackle, was inactive (knee) against the Saints and Stefanski was pleased with how Jones was playing prior to his injury.
"I thought he was doing some decent things over there, as we talk about transitioning to that side," Stefanski said via Patrick Warren of the Browns’ website. "Disappointed for any guy that's out for the season when they have a season-ending injury, he knew it right away and so I feel badly for him."
